Ball glove thumb guard device

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device is provided which may be coupled to a ball glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user and the device may include a body having a distal end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may extend between the distal end towards the proximal end such as from the distal end towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The body may also comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled or configured to be coupled to the ball glove.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/530,664, filed Oct. 31, 2014, entitled “Baseball Glove Thumb Guard Splint”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/899,137, filed on Nov. 1, 2013, entitled “Baseball Glove Thumb Guard Splint”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of ball catching gloves. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a thumb guard which is configured to be secured within the thumb slot of a ball glove.

BACKGROUND

Ball gloves for use in baseball, softball, and other sports are well known. Ball gloves typically include a front panel coupled to a corresponding back panel to form a hand cavity. The front and back panels typically generally resemble the shape of a human hand and when assembled form five slots for receiving the thumb and four fingers of a user's hand. Ball gloves also include a hand opening at the lower edge of the glove, and the back panel typically includes a strap or a lower region that generally conforms to the wrist of the user. Webbing is typically connected between the thumb slot and the index finger slot of the ball glove.

A user of a ball glove will wear the glove on their hand and use it to increase their ability to catch baseballs, softballs, and the like. The ball glove is also designed to protect the hand of the user from the impact of a ball that is caught in the glove. In order to allow current ball gloves to be flexed and actuated by the user, flexible materials are used to form the glove. Unfortunately, these current gloves are unable to protect from injury and reduce the shock and pain to the users thumb from the forceful impact of receiving a ball. Additionally, the flexible materials used in current ball gloves can reduce the grip strength that the user is able to impart onto a ball through the glove.

Therefore, a need exists for novel devices which are able to protect the thumb of a user of a ball glove. There is a further need for novel ball glove thumb guard devices which may be secured only to a ball glove and not to the hand of the user. Finally, there exists a need for novel ball glove thumb guard devices that can increase the grip strength that the user is able to impart onto a ball through the glove.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ball glove thumb guard device is provided which is able to protect the thumb of a user by reducing shock, pain, and injury to the user's thumb from the forceful impact of receiving the baseball. It also reduces and prevents flexion of the users thumb joints from extension and flexion upon impact from catching the baseball, preventing pain and injury to the users thumb and thumb joints. The ball glove thumb guard device also assists the user in leveraging and enhancing a more efficient closure of the baseball glove upon receiving the ball making for a more secure capture of the ball. It extends the effective range of the thumb for more power to close and secure the ball in longer gloves such as catchers, outfielder's gloves and first baseman's gloves.

In some embodiments, the ball glove thumb guard device may include: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end; a securement aperture; and a cushion coupled to the body along the thumb depression.

In further embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device is provided which may be coupled to a ball glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user and the device may include a body having a distal end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may extend between the distal end towards the proximal end such as from the distal end towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The body may also comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled or configured to be coupled to the ball glove.

In still further embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device is provided which may include a ball glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user and a body having a distal end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may extend between the distal end towards the proximal end such as from the distal end towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The body may also comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled or configured to be coupled to the ball glove.

In even further embodiments, the body of a ball glove thumb guard device may be coupled to the ball glove with any other suitable fastener such as which may be coupled to or engaged with a securement aperture.

An additional novel feature of the ball glove thumb guard device is that when the device is secured to the glove within the thumb slot of the glove by the one or more securement apertures, the glove may be configured to take most of the twisting force or sway back force caused by a ball impacting the glove instead of the thumb or hand so that the device when struck through the glove by ball impact on the upper portion of the device or thumb, the bottom part of the device pivots or sways back against the interior of the thumb slot of the glove where it is attached forcing the bottom end of the device to push against the bottom of the glove where it is attached to the glove. This is opposed to other thumb protection devices, including medical splits and splint-like devices, that are worn on the hand which rely only on the hand or thumb to provide resistance to ball impact causing more flexion to the thumb.

In still further preferred embodiments, the ball glove thumb guard device may be configured so that the device does not encircle the thumb of the user when the user's thumb is in the thumb slot of a ball glove. Preferably, the device may be configured to contact palm side portions of the user's thumb and not back-of-the-hand portions of the thumb. This is opposed to currently available thumb protection devices, including medical splits and splint-like devices, which are worn on the hand and which cover the whole thumb back side and front side or around the whole thumb thereby adding bulkiness and discomfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example of a ball glove thumb guard device further comprising an exemplary ball glove according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an example of a ball glove thumb guard device further comprising an exemplary ball glove according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of an alternative example of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional, through line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5, elevation view of an alternative example of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG. 5, elevation view of an alternative example of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

New devices which are able to protect the thumb of a ball glove user are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a ball glove thumb guard device (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. In this example, the device 100 comprises a body 11 having a distal end 12 and a proximal end 13. A thumb depression 14 may extend from the distal end 12 towards the proximal end 13, and one or more securement apertures 15, 16, may be positioned proximate to the proximal end 13. A cushion 17 may be coupled to the body 11 along the thumb depression 14. Preferably, the body 11 may be coupled within a ball glove 50 (FIGS. 2 and 3) so that the body 11 may be positioned between the ball glove 50 and the palm side 212 (FIG. 3) of the thumb 211 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of a user that is received within the ball glove 50.

The device 100 may further comprise a thumb contact surface 41 and a ball glove contacting surface 42. A thumb contact surface 41 may be configured to contact portions of the thumb 211 of a user, such as the palm side 212 of the thumb 211, when the device 100 is positioned and coupled within a thumb slot 51 of a ball glove 50. The thumb contact surface 41 may be formed by the body 11, an optional cushion 17, and/or an optional encasement 18. A ball glove contacting surface 42 may be configured to contact portions of the ball glove 50 within the thumb slot 51, such as the palm side of the thumb slot 51, when the device 100 is positioned and coupled within a thumb slot 51 of a ball glove 50. The ball glove contacting surface 42 may be formed by the body 11, an optional cushion 17, and/or an optional encasement 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5-7, in some embodiments, the body 11 may be substantially planar in shape having a width W (FIG. 5), a length L (FIG. 5), and a height H (FIG. 7). In preferred embodiments, the height H may be less than the width W and also less than the length L. In further embodiments, the body 11 may be configured with a flat planar shape, curved planar shape, or combination of flat and curved planar shapes. In alternative embodiments, the body 11 may be configured as a cylindrical or other hollow shape into which portions of a thumb 211 may be inserted.

In preferred embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W that is approximately 0.1 to 0.5 inches greater than the width of the thumb 211 of the user. When the device 100 is positioned within the thumb slot 51 and in contact with the thumb 211 of a user, the width W that is greater than the width of the thumb 211 of the user of device 100 may increase the effective power of the thumb for more power to close and secure the ball in a glove 50. Since thumb width vary from individual to individual, the body 11 may comprise a width W that may be configured in a plurality of sizes to accommodate any size or range of thumb sizes. In alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W that is between 1.0% to 200% greater than the width of the thumb 211 of the user. In further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W that is generally equal to the width of the thumb 211 of the user. In still further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W that is less than the width of the thumb 211 of the user.

In some embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or comprise a rigid material. In preferred embodiments, a rigid material may include hard plastics, such as nylon, acrylic, uPVC, HDPE, melamine, cardboard, metal and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, such as epoxy resin, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In further embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or comprise any rigid material that is able to substantially resist deformation which may be caused by the impact forces of a ball, such as a baseball, softball, and the like, which may be transferred through a ball glove 50 to which the body 11 is coupled.

The device 100 may comprise a first securement aperture 15 and a second securement aperture 16 which may be positioned anywhere on the device 100, such as proximate to the proximal end 13 of the body 11, which may be used to couple the body 11 to a ball glove 50. A securement aperture 15, 16, may be configured to receive a fastener, such as lacing, rope, string, rivet type fasteners, clip type fasteners, removable fasteners, non-removable fasteners, and the like, which may be used to couple the body 11 to a ball glove 50. In preferred embodiments, a securement aperture 15, 16, may be configured to receive leather or other durable material lacing 62 which may be laced to a ball glove 50 thereby coupling the body 11 to the ball glove 50. In further embodiments, a securement aperture 15, 16, may be formed by molding or otherwise coupling a fastener into the body 11 so that the securement aperture 15, 16, forms the junction between the fastener and the body 11. For example, by molding or otherwise coupling a clip type fastener which may be configured to be coupled to a ball glove 50 into the body 11, a securement aperture 15, 16, may be created which forms the junction between the fastener and the body 11.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more cushions 17 which may be coupled to the body 11. A cushion 17 may be made from or comprise a resilient material that may form a point of contact between the device 100 and the thumb 211 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of a user. In further embodiments, a cushion 17 may be made from or comprise a resilient material such as silicone foams, rubber foams, urethane foams including ARTiLAGE foams and Poron foams, plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, silicone rubbers, or any other suitable elastomer or resilient material including combinations of materials. A cushion 17 may be coupled anywhere on the body 11 such as along all or portions of a thumb depression 14.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a ball glove thumb guard device further comprising an exemplary ball glove 50 which may be used in ball handling sports including baseball, softball, and the like according to various embodiments described herein. A ball glove 50 may be configured to accept the hand 200 of a user so that portions of a user's hand may be inserted into portions of the ball glove 50. For example, the ball glove 50 may comprise: a thumb slot 51 configured to receive portions of the thumb 211 of a user; an index finger slot 52 configured to receive portions of the index finger 201 of a user; a middle finger slot 53 configured to receive portions of the middle finger 202 of a user; a ring finger slot 54 configured to receive portions of the ring finger 203 of a user; and a little finger slot 55 configured to receive portions of the little finger 204 of a user. A ball glove 50 may be made to fit the right hand or the left hand of a user and therefore be formed as mirrored configurations of each other.

In some embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device 100 may comprise a ball glove 50 having a thumb slot 51 for receiving the thumb 211 of a user. A body 11, having a distal end and a proximal end, may be coupled to the ball glove 50. The body 11 may also comprise a thumb depression 14 extending from the distal end 12 towards the proximal end 13 and a first securement aperture 15. The body 11 may be coupled to the ball glove 50 by inserting lacing 62, that is coupled to or configured to be coupled to the ball glove 50, through the securement aperture 15. The body may be positioned within the thumb slot 51 of the ball glove 50 between the palm side 212 of the thumb 211 of the user and the thumb slot 51 of the ball glove 50.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the body 11 may comprise an extension region 31 that may extend past the tip 213 of the thumb 211 of the user. In further embodiments, the body 11 may be configured and dimensioned with a length L (FIG. 5) allowing the body 11 to extend within the thumb slot 51 past the tip 213 of the thumb 211 of a user that is positioned in the respective thumb slot 51 with the body 11. In preferred embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that is approximately one to two inches greater than the length of the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51. Since thumb lengths vary from individual to individual, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that may be configured in a plurality of sizes up to accommodate any size or range of thumb sizes. In alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that is between 1.0% to 200% greater than the length of the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51. In further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that is generally equal to the length of the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51. In still further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that is less than the length of the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51.

Referring now to FIG. 4 an exploded perspective view of an example of a ball glove thumb guard device 100 according to various embodiments described herein is depicted. In this example, the device 100 comprises a body 11 having a distal end 12 and a proximal end 13. A thumb depression 14 may extend from the distal end 12 towards the proximal end 13, and one or more securement apertures 15, 16, may be positioned proximate to the proximal end 13. A cushion 17 may be coupled to the body 11 along the thumb depression 14. Optional lacing 62 may be inserted through one or more securement apertures 15, 16, which may be used to couple the body 11 to a ball glove 50 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an alternative example of a ball glove thumb guard device 100 according to various embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an encasement 18 which may surround a portion of the body 11 and/or the cushion 17. In preferred embodiments, an encasement 18 may surround portions of the body 11 and/or the cushion 17 which may contact portions of the thumb 211, such as the palm side 212 of the thumb 211, of the user. In further embodiments, an encasement 18 may surround portions of the body 11 and/or the cushion 17 which may or may not contact portions of the thumb 211, such as the palm side 212 of the thumb 211, of the user.

An encasement 18 may be made from a preferably resilient material, such as latex, rubber, leather, or any other material which may provide a suitable surface for contacting portions of the thumb 211 of a user and portions of the thumb slot 51 of a ball glove 50 for added comfort, increased grip and to aid shock absorption. As show in FIGS. 5-7, the encasement 18 may cover or surround the majority of the body 11 and optional cushion 17 while not covering portions of the proximal end 13 having securement apertures 15, 16. In alternative embodiments, the encasement 18 may cover or surround all or portions of the body 11 and optional cushion 17 including portions of the proximal end 13 having securement apertures 15, 16, so that the securement apertures 15, 16, are formed into or extend through the encasement 18. In alternative embodiments, an encasement 18 may serve the function of and take the place of a cushion 17.

With respect to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the distal end 12 of the body 11 may be angled 1 to 45 degrees relative to the proximal end 13 of the body 11 as shown by angle A. In further embodiments, angle A may be between 10 and 20 degrees. Preferably, the proximal end 13 may comprise a proximal terminus 23 and the distal end 12 may comprise a distal terminus 22. When the body 11 is coupled to a ball glove 50, the proximal end 13 and proximal terminus 23 may be generally aligned with portions of the wrist opening 56 of the ball glove 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. By angling the distal end 12 of the body 11 relative to the proximal end 13 of the body 11, the distal end 12 may extend into the thumb slot 51 which also may be angled away from the finger slots 52, 53, 54, 55, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, in preferred embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a thumb depression 14. A thumb depression 14 may comprise a depression or recess into which portions of the palm side 212 of the thumb 211 may be received by the device 100. A thumb depression 14 may be formed in a plurality of shapes and sizes such as generally the same size or larger shape than the thumb 211 of the user. The thumb depression 14 may extend along the body 11 between the proximal 13 and distal 12 ends. In some embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may extend from the proximal end 13 to the distal end 12. In other embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may extend from the distal end 12 towards the proximal end 13. In still other embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may extend from the proximal end 13 towards the distal end 12. In some embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may be formed into the body 11, cushion 17, and an encasement 18 as shown in FIG. 7. In alternative embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may be formed into the cushion 17 and/or into an optional encasement 18.

While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 such as the body 11, optional cushion 17, optional encasement 18, optional ball glove 50, and/or any other element discussed herein may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball glove thumb guard device, the device comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end; a securement aperture; and a cushion coupled to the body along the thumb depression.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an extension region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the body is angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the body.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein an encasement surrounds a portion of the body and the cushion.
 5. A ball glove thumb guard device to be coupled to a ball glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user, the device comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end; a securement aperture, wherein body is coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled to the ball glove; and wherein the body is positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the body is configured and dimensioned to extend within the thumb slot past the tip of the thumb of a user that is positioned in the respective thumb slot.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein the body comprises an extension region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
 8. The device of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the body is angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the body.
 9. The device of claim 5, wherein a cushion is coupled to the body.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein an encasement surrounds a portion of the body and the cushion.
 11. The device of claim 5, wherein the body is substantially planar in shape having a width, a length, and a height, and wherein the height is less than the width and the length.
 12. A ball glove thumb guard device, the device comprising: A ball glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user; a body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the body is coupled to the ball glove; a thumb depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end; a securement aperture, wherein body is coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled to the ball glove; and wherein the body is positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the body is configured and dimensioned to extend within the thumb slot past the tip of the thumb of a user that is positioned in the respective thumb slot.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises an extension region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the distal end of the body is angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the body.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein a cushion is coupled to the body.
 17. The device of claim 17, wherein the cushion comprises a resilient material selected from the group consisting of silicone foams, rubber foams, urethane foams, plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, and silicone rubbers.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein an encasement surrounds a portion of the body and the cushion.
 19. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a rigid material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, hard rubber, wood, carbon fiber, and fiber glass.
 20. The device of claim 12, wherein the body is substantially planar in shape having a width, a length, and a height, and wherein the height is less than the width and the length. 